IPPNY MISSION

In his update this morning on the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo stated that New York must prioritize infrastructure buildout, including more renewable energy resources. Among the projects he is looking to prioritize is a transmission line that would transport hydropower from Canada to New York City.

As U.S. policy makers look for cost-effective ways to tackle climate change, a diverse coalition of power generators, trade associations, and think tank experts this week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to examine the policy options and implications of carbon pricing policies in competitive wholesale electricity markets. The request, submitted before FERC by a broad cross section of the electric industry and think tank voices, comes at a time when many states, utilities and electric markets are already considering policies that reduce carbon emissions in the electric sector and grappling with whether to integrate carbon pricing directly into the markets.

A report released today by Energyzt and a diverse coalition of energy, environmental and labor groups shows that New York City’s current plan to receive hydropower delivered over the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express (“CHPE”) transmission line will not reduce climate-related emissions and, in fact, may increase overall emissions.